Dream The Change, CIC families are to help with new research into autism

We are delighted that families connected with Dream The Change, CIC are to participate in autism research.

Several people put their names forward when a student from University College London asked on our Facebook page for volunteers to join a small advisory group to help with some autism research on sensory masking.

We had a fantastic response. In fact, so many parents, carers and young people came forward to help Katie Dugard, a second year Trainee Educational Psychologist, UCL, that she is looking for other ways that our connections can help.

In our post on Dream The Change CIC’s Facebook Page, Katie said, “I am currently completing my thesis project with UCL (and Professor Liz Pellicano) on autistic young people’s sensory experiences, ‘sensory masking’ and the secondary school sensory environment.

"This research project will be participatory in nature, meaning it will include autistic people in making decisions about the research. 

"For this reason, I am recruiting a small advisory group of autistic adults and/or young people over the age of 16 (either with a diagnosis or self-identity/on a waiting list), to help shape my study.”

Those selected will be joining a zoom call up to 4 times (but they can attend as little or as many as they want to) for around 45 minutes with a small group of other autistic individuals and Katie (around 3-5 members in total). 

Participants of the advisory group will each receive a gift voucher, as a token of appreciation for their involvement in the meetings.

Their involvement in the research will also offer valuable experience as participants can include it on their CVs. Members will also be acknowledged in Katie’s research under a pseudonym. She hopes that her research findings will be published extensively, with the goal of assisting individuals with sensory sensitivities in educational settings.

After receiving numerous applications, Katie said, "Thank you SO much for sharing my poster on Dream The Change CIC’s Facebook page. 

"I have had absolute loads of interest and many heartwarming messages from people seeing it on the page, which is brilliant!! 

She said she would contact everyone who had applied, with a short survey to confirm if they meet all the requirements. Applicants will be selected based on a first come basis.

Others will also be contacted if other opportunities to help with research arise.